Historic Farmhouse

Long-time clients approached us after purchasing a picturesque farm in the Shenandoah Valley. Originally constructed as a log cabin in the 1800s, the main house needed updating and expansion. Ultimately, the homeowners wanted the house to look as it did in 1867, and they challenged us to create a design that incorporated modern conveniences, while preserving the home’s impressive history. Every item reflecting the home’s history was given thoughtful consideration. Architect Sean Mullin, AIA says “we always asked ourselves ‘how can we preserve, maintain or repurpose this within the new space?’” During construction, the team unearthed various signs of 19th century architecture and construction; authentic carpenter marks were revealed on timber framing during demo. Project manager, Rob Farrie, explains “we integrated this into the renovation by leaving a portion of the original log cabin exposed at the transition between the 2-story addition and existing home… it’s a tribute to the distinct history of this home.” Lead carpenter Chris Thomas describes the renovation as one of his favorite projects he has worked on, “not only because of the beautiful location and scenic views. This project was always exciting. Uncovering all the authentic materials from the late 1800s and early 1900s was so cool. And merging the old materials and construction with modern building techniques meant that you had to be up for a challenge everyday ... we had to get creative on multiple occasions.” Special care went into an 1800s-era dinner bell recovered on the property. “We researched where it would have been located and what it would have looked like” says Thomas, who then crafted a replica base for the bell and installed it outside the entrance to the kitchen.The lines of the exterior speak to the Italianate architectural style of the period. Thomas even took a small piece of the original siding to a local specialist who custom milled new siding to match the existing. When considering paint color, interior designer Shannon Kadwell found a match to the original pale yellow which was uncovered during demo. “What a great opportunity it was to work on this project… I loved designing something that is both new AND steeped in tradition” says Mullin.Kitchen and Bath Designer, Shannon Kadwell, CMKBD says “this home is unique in so many ways… and it was a complete privilege to be a designer on this project. The historical renovation evolved into a charming modern oasis for the family.” Incorporating relics that have survived over centuries into the design, tells the narrative of the farm’s history, yet serves as a prologue to the homeowner’s unique story just beginning to be unfold.

Winner of Local and Regional NARI CotY Award for Historic Renovation/Restoration.